January 21st: All Facts & Events That Happened Today In History

HISTORICAL EVENTS

• 1801: John Marshall is appointed as the Chief Justice of the United States.
• 1861: Jefferson Davis resigns from the United States Senate and is later named the President of the Confederate States of America.
• 1911: The first Monte Carlo Rally takes place, marking the beginning of an annual motor racing event.
• 1976: The supersonic Concorde aircraft makes its first commercial flight between Europe and Bahrain.
• 1997: Madeleine Albright becomes the first female Secretary of State in the United States.

SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS

• 1789: The first American novel, “The Power of Sympathy” by William Hill Brown, is printed in Boston.
• 1899: Edwin Hubble, the American astronomer known for discovering galaxies beyond the Milky Way, is born.
• 1924: Vladimir Zworykin receives a patent for his iconoscope, a television transmission system.
• 1954: The first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, is launched in Groton, Connecticut.
• 2003: The Human Genome Project is completed, sequencing the entire human genome.

POLITICAL MILESTONES

• 1793: Louis XVI, the last King of France, is executed by guillotine during the French Revolution.
• 1950: Alger Hiss, an American government official, is convicted of perjury for lying about his involvement in communist activities.
• 1977: U.S. President Jimmy Carter pardons almost all Vietnam War draft evaders.
• 1997: Bill Clinton begins his second term as the President of the United States.
• 2009: Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African-American to hold the office.

CULTURAL EVENTS

• 1699: The Treaty of Karlowitz is signed, ending the Great Turkish War and securing a victory for the Holy League.
• 1924: Vladimir Lenin, the Russian revolutionary and politician, dies in Moscow.
• 1976: The first commercial Concorde flights begin, with routes between London and Bahrain.
• 1995: The Great Hanshin earthquake strikes the city of Kobe, Japan, resulting in the death of over 6,000 people.
• 2017: The Women’s March, a protest advocating for women’s rights and equality, takes place in cities across the world.

BIRTHS

• 1738: Ethan Allen, American soldier and politician, best known for his involvement in the American Revolutionary War.
• 1824: Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, Confederate general during the American Civil War.
• 1924: Benny Hill, British comedian and actor known for his popular television show, ‘The Benny Hill Show’.
• 1940: Jack Nicklaus, American professional golfer and one of the greatest golfers of all time.
• 1956: Geena Davis, American actress and film producer, known for her roles in ‘Thelma & Louise’ and ‘A League of Their Own.

NOTABLE DEATHS

• 1924: Vladimir Lenin, Russian revolutionary and politician, leader of the Bolshevik Party and founder of the Soviet Union.
• 1959: Cecil B. DeMille, American filmmaker and producer, known for epic films such as ‘The Ten Commandments’ and ‘Cleopatra’.
• 1983: Louis de Funès, French actor and comedian, known for his roles in ‘The Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob’ and ‘La Grande Vadrouille’.
• 1994: Telly Savalas, American actor known for his role as Detective Kojak in the television series ‘Kojak’.
• 2010: J.D. Salinger, American author known for his novel ‘The Catcher in the Rye.

Conclusion

January 21st has seen significant historical events, scientific breakthroughs, political milestones, cultural events, as well as births and deaths of notable individuals. From the appointment of John Marshall as the Chief Justice of the United States in 1801 to the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, this day has witnessed a wide range of significant occurrences. It is a reminder of the rich tapestry of history and the contributions of individuals in various fields. January 21st holds a special place in history as a day marked by remarkable events and the birth or passing of influential figures that have shaped the world we live in today.

FAQs

Q: What are some notable political milestones that happened on January 21st?

A: Some notable political milestones include the execution of Louis XVI during the French Revolution in 1793, the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States in 2009, and the pardoning of Vietnam War draft evaders by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.

Q: Are there any significant cultural events associated with January 21st?

A: Yes, some significant cultural events include the signing of the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, which ended the Great Turkish War, and the Women’s March in 2017, a global protest advocating for women’s rights and equality.

Q: Who are some notable individuals born on January 21st?

A: Notable individuals born on this day include Ethan Allen, a prominent American soldier and politician from the Revolutionary War era, Geena Davis, the renowned American actress known for her roles in ‘Thelma & Louise’ and ‘A League of Their Own’, and Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers of all time.

Q: What scientific breakthroughs occurred on January 21st?

A: Some scientific breakthroughs include the launch of the first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, in 1954 and the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, which sequenced the entire human genome.

Q: Who are some notable individuals who passed away on January 21st?

A: Notable individuals who passed away on this day include Vladimir Lenin, the Russian revolutionary and founder of the Soviet Union, Cecil B. DeMille, the American filmmaker known for epic films like ‘The Ten Commandments’, and J.D. Salinger, the American author famous for ‘The Catcher in the Rye.